The House

The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday approved a sweeping fiscal year 2026 defense appropriations bill that would provide approximately $839 billion in funding for the Department of Defense, advancing one of the most consequential pieces of legislation shaping U.S. military priorities in the coming year. Passed by a wide bipartisan margin, the bill now moves to the Senate, where lawmakers face a tight timeline to consider and pass the measure before a late-January funding deadline. The legislation is part of a broader package of appropriations bills designed to keep the federal government operating through the end of the fiscal year in September and to avert a partial government shutdown once temporary funding expires. Supporters described the bill as a necessary investment in national security at a time of heightened global instability, ongoing geopolitical competition, and evolving technological threats. While debate continues over overall federal spending levels, House leaders emphasized that defense funding remains one of the few areas where broad bipartisan consensus still exists, reflecting shared concern over military readiness, deterrence, and the ability of U.S. forces to respond effectively to crises around the world.

At roughly $8.4 billion above the Pentagon’s original budget request, the House-passed measure reflects Congress’s desire to go beyond the administration’s proposal and directly shape defense priorities. Lawmakers argued that the additional funding is essential to address gaps in modernization, replenish depleted stockpiles, and accelerate programs viewed as critical to maintaining U.S. military superiority. The bill would fund defense operations, procurement, and personnel costs through the end of September, ensuring continuity for military planning and contracts. According to Breaking Defense, the legislation passed on a 341–88 vote, underscoring its largely bipartisan backing even as some lawmakers raised concerns about costs and long-term fiscal sustainability. Supporters contend that the increased spending is justified by rising global threats, including strategic competition with China and Russia, ongoing conflicts that strain U.S. munitions supplies, and the need to adapt to rapidly advancing technologies such as artificial intelligence and cyber warfare. Critics, however, cautioned that Congress must balance defense investments with broader budget discipline, warning that unchecked growth could place additional pressure on future federal budgets.